Humidifiers???

BluesBop Harry

I know this has been already discussed several times, so sorry for bringing it up again...
Winter's coming and I'm about to purchase an in case humidifier and hygrometer.
I want to get the best one available.
This seems to be a good option:
http://www.oasishumidifiers.com/case.html
Anybody have any experience with them?

Here's what JP Favino said in an interview:

How are your guitars best maintained?

I believe that it is necessary that each guitarist owns a hygrometer . The air humidity should be between 50% and 60%. The instrument should never be put near a heat source or into a hot car. Also humidity harms. Generally one can say: " where humans feel well, the guitar also feels well'. You should not leave the guitar in the suitcase, the instrument needs air, the wood wants to breathe. Industrial guitars react differently to such effects , because the woods are not naturally dried. For the tone of the guitar it is very important that it is played frequently. Against dryness you can put a sponge in a perforated plastic bag and store it into the string container . Against humidity the same with rice in the plastic bag. It absorbs the humidity. Most important: Leave repairs only to an specialist!

I trust him of course...but I guess there 's some modern alternative to the "damp-sponge-in-a-bag", isn't there?
I don't have a Selmer...sadly...but if you had one what would you use to maintain it in proper humidity environment?

Heretic

During the heating seasons, I found that the use of case humidifiers greatly benefited my instruments. I placed a small humidity meter into the case to monitor the space and found that the Oasis humidifier was very good at keeping the humidity stable.
Prior to that, the proper lack of humidity was causing my frets to protrude on the edges, and the character of the guitar, and the action was changing unreliably. I've read of very good gypsy guitars splitting without proper humidity. It's an inexpensive way of protection your guitar. I'd strongly suggest getting a case humidity gauge as well. Too much moisture, or too little, can ruin you instrument - let alone play havoc with your tone and action.

Charlie Ayers

Personally I would use one in both the headstock compartment and the body portion of the case, since I assume there is fairly little airflow between the two, in a typical tight case. I've done the same thing for years with self-made sponge eclosures that probably cost about $2 each.

Charlie

BluesBop Harry

Thanks!
I guess I'll buy a couple of those Oasis.

What about Hygrometers?
Do you have a favourite one?

BluesBop Harry

I found this as well, which won't need an Hygrometer.
http://www.planetwaves.com/pcaredetails.aspx?id=7
Beware though because there has been a product recall due to a defect in a few batches.

For those of you out there with Dupont VR's, Favinos, Busatos, etc?
What do you use?

Bob Holo

I use those rubber tubes with the sponges inside them. You can find them in any store carrying classical instruments... just go in and say: "I need a humidifier for my Viola" Like this one... http://www.giardinelli.com/product/Glae ... rc=AWFRWXX

So - the biggest thing with humidification is to remember that guitars don't like shocks... so always use moderation. The instrument is made up of many parts... some thicker than others... some denser than others... all of which warm up / cool down / humidify / dehumidify at different rates due to their material and structure. When things get to expanding/contracting at different rates, only three things can happen. 1.) If you're lucky, the glue is strong enough to hold and the wood is elastic enough to absorb the forces. 2.) The glue gives up 3.) The wood gives up. So care for the temperature and humidity of your instrument like you'd steer a ship... many small increments in the right direction.

Joli Gadjo

Just thinking :

Will a European made guitar be a better target for humidity and temperature than a Canadian one ?
Let say you have a Dupont and a Shelley Park, both with Maple backs but one come from Canada and the other one not. It's easy to assume that the Canadian tree will have been exposed to wider temperature and humidity differences while it won't be the case for some maple trees in Europe under a much milder climate.
So, under the same condition, the Dupont will crack and the Shelley Park be OK ? Does it make any sense ?